NORFOLK, Va. - Ensign Mary-Hélène Sion, a native of Normandy, France, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11.
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Photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Terah Bryant, Navy Office of Community Outreach |
Sion joined the Navy one year ago. Today, Sion serves as a student aviator.
“I was kind of lost in life and I didn't want to join the corporate world,” said Sion. "I wanted something different. Also, my great-grandfather was in the Navy and my grandfather was in the Air Force. Before me, no one else in my family had joined since then. Noe though all my siblings have followed in my footsteps.”
Sion attended Maison d'Education de la Legion d'Honneur and graduated in 2018.
Skills and values similar to those found in Normandy are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“My parents work in tourism,” said Sion. "I lived in a city that was a hub for veteran tourism. Talking to them gave me a huge appreciation for what they did. Also, learning to hold a conversation with different people has been helpful in the Navy. “I've always been very independent as well, which is a good skilly to have in the Navy.”."
These lessons have helped Sion while serving with the Navy.
Members of HSC 11 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
As a member of the Navy, Sion is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We're the only service in the Constitution,” said Sion. “"We project power all over the world and protect the maritime sea lanes. That's the part of the military that the rest of the world sees the most. We represent the United States."
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Sion and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I had a Navy scholarship in college that required me to get a STEM degree,” said Sion. “I failed every STEM class in high school, yet thrived in the neuroscience STEM degree path. "The pressure from the Navy to keep my scholarship helped me persevere. I'm so proud of having my degree in a STEM field. Now, I'm going to be a pilot."
As Sion and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“For me serving in the Navy is a great deal,” said Sion. "For me, they give me money and I give them time. For others it's structure. It's all a transaction, and it's so worth it."
Sion is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my mom and my uncle for their support,” said Sion. “My mom steered my siblings and me toward going to school in the United States to broaden our horizons. My uncle has given me such good financial advice, which has helped me build a great life.”
Sion attended Maison d'Education de la Legion d'Honneur and graduated in 2018.
Skills and values similar to those found in Normandy are similar to those required to succeed in the military.
“My parents work in tourism,” said Sion. "I lived in a city that was a hub for veteran tourism. Talking to them gave me a huge appreciation for what they did. Also, learning to hold a conversation with different people has been helpful in the Navy. “I've always been very independent as well, which is a good skilly to have in the Navy.”."
These lessons have helped Sion while serving with the Navy.
Members of HSC 11 fly and maintain helicopters for the U.S. Navy. Navy helicopters are able to perform many different missions. In general, some of the most common operations include search and rescue, air assaults, medical evacuations, supply transport and hunting submarines.
This year commemorates 50 years of women flying in the U.S. Navy. In 1973, the first eight women began flight school in Pensacola; one year later six of them, known as "The First Six," earned their “Wings of Gold.” Over the past 50 years, the Navy has expanded its roles for women to lead and serve globally and today our women aviators project power from the sea in every type of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aircraft. Our Nation and our Navy is stronger because of their service.
As a member of the Navy, Sion is part of a world-class organization focused on maintaining maritime dominance, strengthening partnerships, increasing competitive warfighting capabilities and sustaining combat-ready forces in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“We're the only service in the Constitution,” said Sion. “"We project power all over the world and protect the maritime sea lanes. That's the part of the military that the rest of the world sees the most. We represent the United States."
With 90 percent of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to trained sailors and a strong Navy.
"Our mission remains timeless - to provide our fellow citizens with nothing less than the very best Navy: fully combat ready at all times, focused on warfighting excellence, and committed to superior leadership at every single level," said Adm. Mike Gilday, Chief of Naval Operations. "This is our calling. And I cannot imagine a calling more worthy."
Sion and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.
“I had a Navy scholarship in college that required me to get a STEM degree,” said Sion. “I failed every STEM class in high school, yet thrived in the neuroscience STEM degree path. "The pressure from the Navy to keep my scholarship helped me persevere. I'm so proud of having my degree in a STEM field. Now, I'm going to be a pilot."
As Sion and other sailors continue to train and perform missions, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“For me serving in the Navy is a great deal,” said Sion. "For me, they give me money and I give them time. For others it's structure. It's all a transaction, and it's so worth it."
Sion is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible.
"I want to thank my mom and my uncle for their support,” said Sion. “My mom steered my siblings and me toward going to school in the United States to broaden our horizons. My uncle has given me such good financial advice, which has helped me build a great life.”